Photographic Exhibit by Kit Strange

RHS Wisley exhibit

Also in the dining area was a display of plants, staged by Chloe Wells and Peter Goodchild from RHS Wisley, and deemed worthy of a Gold Award.

Intermediate Section six pan

winning an AGS Award for John Millen. 

Anemone blanda

Anemone blanda painted by Rannveig Wallis.

Narcissus albimarginatus

Again painted by Rannveig Wallis

Paintings and needlework by Jean Morris

Adonis amurensis Hanazono

The first plant I photographed, in response to a request, was this Adonis exhibited by Robin Alabaster.

Romulea bulbocodium

Immediately judging had finished, I selected this fine pan of romulea, which won the Longfield Trophy for the best plant in the Intermediate Section for John Millen.

Tulipa neustruevae

The only other plant in need of urgent photography, before it closed, was this lovely pot of tulips from Bob and Rannveig Wallis.

Saxifraga Coolock Gem

This was the first saxifrage I had seen this year in really good condition, grown by Alan and Janet Cook.

Saxifraga Radway

Also grown by Alan and Janet Cook.

Saxifraga Sissi

Exhibited by David Hoare

Saxifraga Lyda

An interesting saxifrage I don't think I have photographed before, again exhibited by David Hoare.

Saxifraga Tycho Brahe

This was another of John Millen's plants, from the Intermediate section.

Primula allionii

There weren't many dionysias on the bench, but Nigel Fuller brought some excellent pans of Primula allionii, including this attractive three pan exhibit, featuring from left to right Sandra Burrow, William Burrow and Rosemary.

Primula allionii Sandra Burrow

Exhibited by Nigel Fuller

Primula allionii William Burrow

Exhibited by Nigel Fuller

Primula allionii Rosemary

Exhibited by Nigel Fuller

Primula allionii BB 94-9-1

Another allionii from Nigel Fuller

Primula allionii Arley

This attractive clone of P. allionii, exhibited by David Hoare, was named for my nephew by David Philbey.  It was great to have David with me at the show, even if he spent most of it holding court in the armchairs in the corner of the dining area.  At 88, and with increasingly restricted mobility, this may well be the only show he gets to this year.

Primula allionii Kath Dryden

In the Novice Section, Rosemary Hillyar won the Invicta Trophy for the best plant with this primula, as well as the aggregate award for the section.

Dionysia viscidula

Back to the Open section now - this dionysia from Joy Bishop was awarded a Certificate of Merit.

Cyclamen pseudibericum

However, the David Wisdom Trophy for the best pan of Primulaceae went to Lee and Julie Martin for this cyclamen.

Cyclamen persicum High altitude form

I rather liked this tiny form of Cyclamen persicum exhibited by Robin Alabaster.

Hepatica japonica x yamatutai

Peter Abbiss brought this lovely white hepatica.

Hepatica nobilis var japonica

Also from Peter Abbiss

Tropaeolum brachyceras

This old friend was exhibited by Joy Bishop.

Anacamptis laxiflora

Once again Barry Tattersall produced a magnificent display of mediterranean terrestrial orchids, featuring this pot of the huge Jersey orchid, Anacamptis laxiflora, which was awarded a Certificate of Merit. 

Ophrys picta

Barry Tattersall also exhibited this relative of the bee orchid from the Algarve, with tiny but beautiful flowers.

Orchis italica

The 'naked man orchid', again exhibited by Barry Tattersall.

Serapias neglecta

Barry Tattersall also brought two small neat pans of Serapias neglecta, one paler than the other - both fabulous plants.

Abies koreana Kohout's Icebreaker

Show secretary Adrian Cooper exhibited this large plant of Kohout's Icebreaker.

Acacia pravissima Bushwalk Baby

Cecilia Coller exhibited this attractive prostrate Acacia.

Iris suaveolens Helveolus Group

Keith and Rachel Lever brought this attractive little rhizomatous iris.

Corydalis Craigton Red

This fine pan was exhibited by Janine Doulton.

Corydalis darwasica

The Farrer medal went to a lovely pan of Corydalis darwasica exhibited by Bob and Rannveig Wallis.

Corydalis erdelii

In the same three-pan exhibit as C. darwasica above, so also from Bob and Rannveig Wallis.

Corydalis solida Penza Red

The third plant in the three-pan exhibited by Bob and Rannveig Wallis.

Erythronium citrinum

Moving now to Erythronium, this was exhibited by Cecilia Coller. 

Erythronium multiscapideum

Exhibited by Joy Bishop

Fritillaria purdyi

The Northdown Trophy for the best plant in a 19cm pot went to this lovely Fritillaria from Bob and Rannveig Wallis.

Fritillaria yuminensis

Exhibited by Bob and Rannveig Wallis.

Fritillaria gibbosa

John Kemp produced a magnificent pan of F. gibbosa, which was runner-up for the Farrer, and received a Certificate of Merit.

Fritillaria ojaiensis

This delicate species was exhibited in the Rare in Cultivation class by Peter Goodchild from RHS Wisley.

Fritillaria fleischeriana

A tiny and delicate frit, also in the Rare in Cultivation class, exhibited by Bob and Rannveig Wallis

Fritillaria ehrhartii

This was exhibited by Cecilia Coller; I was trying very hard to capture the sheen on the outside of the dark petals.

Fritillaria elwesii

Another frit from Bob and Rannveig Wallis

Gladiolus huttonii x tristis

Exhibited by Colin Rogers

Narcissus Angel's Whisper

Janine Doulton is another local exhibitor who is advancing in leaps and bounds, and making the Intermediate section competitive; this year she brought some lovely pots of Narcissus.

Narcissus henriquesii

Also from Janine Doulton, and beautifully scented.

Narcissus poeticus

I couldn't resist taking a close-up of this daffodil from John Millen.

Narcissus tazetta var aureus

My last daffodil is this lovely little tazetta from Bob and Rannveig Wallis, beautifully scented.

Scilla messeniaca

Another fine plant from the Intermediate Section, exhibited by Peter Hardy.

Trillium rivale Purple Heart

Mike Chadwick brought a lovely compact pan of this favoured form of T. rivale.

Trillium rivale

However, my favourite forms T. rivale tend to be the pure pink ones with lighter more delicate markings, though they aren't always as compact in growth; this was exhibited by Joy Bishop.